EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) – When Brett Favre arrived in the Twin Cities last August, the Minnesota Vikings called him “a decent piece” to a talent-rich roster that they felt was Super Bowl worthy with or without him.
It was a staggeringly understated way to refer to a three-time MVP who owns every passing record worth having and one – interceptions – that isn’t. But with a proud, veteran defense and Adrian Peterson in the backfield, the Vikings managed expectations for their then-39-year-old quarterback by saying that Favre wouldn’t have to carry the offense.
This year, coming off what Favre called the best season of his 19-year career, the Vikings know better.
Favre is their leader, their friend, the main source of their swagger. With him under center, they think anything is possible.
l for,” Childress said. “Just at the time he came back, sitting in our cafeteria the buzz was palpable. It elevates everybody in the building. That is what a franchise quarterback does.”
The Vikings saw it firsthand last year. They need to see it again this season.
In his first season in purple, Favre was everything the Vikings hoped he would be, and then some. He threw for 4,202 yards, 33 touchdowns and just seven interceptions to lead the team to a 12-4 record and a berth in the NFC title game.
Everything went so well, in fact, that Favre openly wondered afterward if he could top it in 2010 or if he’d given football his best shot.
The latest in a long line of decisions on whether to return for another shot turned into a tough thing for the indecisive Favre.
It took two visits from Childress, an ankle surgery from Dr. James Andrews and a surprise pop-in from teammates Steve Hutchinson, Ryan Longwell and Jared Allen to convince the soon-to-be 41-year-old to come back for one more run.
“He played so well that it was more of the fact that, ‘What more can I do type of thing?”’ Longwell said. “That’s why we basically told him, ‘It’s not about the passes or the games or who you’re playing or what’s going on. Just do it for the guys and if this is it enjoy the last year just for the fun of the game and the fun of the locker room.”’
or the last seven or eight years. But at his latest welcome back news conference it was clear that he was considering retirement as seriously as he ever has before.
The reasons to walk away were significant. Favre took a beating in the NFC title game loss to the Saints, injuring a left ankle that had already been surgically repaired twice.
In addition to the tremendous statistical season, he thrashed his former team – the Green Bay Packers – in both regular season meetings. Favre threw for 515 yards and seven touchdowns with no interceptions in victories at the Metrodome and Lambeau Field, sticking it to Green Bay GM Ted Thompson for deciding to move on with Aaron Rodgers after the three-time MVP announced his retirement in 2008.
“I have nothing left to prove,” he said.
Favre butted heads with Childress toward the end of the season and openly admitted he had a fear of failure, of letting everyone down.
Now Favre is a grandfather, with a 465-acre spread in Hattiesburg and a body full of aches and pains from 309 consecutive starts, including the playoffs.
So where does he get the motivation this year?
“I could make a case for both playing, not playing,” Favre said. “I think ultimately much has been made about the three guys coming down. It was really about them, the team.”
cks on the roster – Tarvaris Jackson, Sage Rosenfels and rookie Joe Webb – have yet to show the kind of consistency and playmaking ability that a Super Bowl-contending team needs.
And Favre was so beloved in the locker room that the team welcomed him back with open arms, despite having to answer questions about him all summer long, again. And despite him skipping training camp in Mankato, again.
“I don’t think anybody violated any sacrosanct bylaw of anything,” Childress said. “You look and see what a situation calls for and you do it. Now it may never have been done before but that doesn’t concern me. You do what you need to do or feel like you need to do in a given situation.”
If this is his last year, it doesn’t figure to be easy.
Leading receiver Sidney Rice will miss at least the first half of the season after having hip surgery on Monday and Percy Harvin, the offensive rookie of the year who quickly forged a bond with Favre, has barely practice in the preseason because of recurring migraine headaches.
The Vikings also have a much tougher schedule, including the opener at New Orleans and games against Miami and Dallas and at the Jets, Packers and Patriots in the first eight weeks.
Maybe that’s why the Vikings jumped through so many hoops to get him back.
re said. “People are going to break it down and say, ‘This is wrong. This is right. This is inspirational.’ Whatever. Everyone’s going to have their take on it. But I think it’s really a tribute to the guys.”
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